Photo Gallery: The changing face of Ulannbataar

Paula Bronstein, Getty Images10.26.2012

A man carries water to his home in the Ger district as it continues to expand on October 22, 2012 in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia. The Ger district is growing as many of the new city dwellers are in need of affordable housing after coming to the capitol city for employment. Some 100 years ago, Mongolia gained independence from Qing China, and more than 20 years ago it removed itself from the Soviet Bloc. Since then, the country has been undergoing massive social, economic and political changes. The Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold mine is Mongolia's biggest foreign investment project to date adding an estimated 35% value to the country's GDP. Mongolia is a land of amazing contrasts and is the most sparsely populated country on earth with fewer than three million people.

Paula Bronstein
/ Getty Images

A crane lifts the statue of the Vladimir Lenin as workers help to remove it after many decades October 14, 2012 in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. The Soviet era four meter high statue was neglected and a decision was made by the mayor of Ulan Bator, Bat Uul Erdene to have it removed because it represented the repression of the Soviet years. It was erected 58 years ago and will be sold starting at 400,000 tugrik or USD $287.Paula Bronstein
/ Getty Images

A family poses in front of the Gandan monastery on a special day on the Lunar calendar for wedding ceremonies October 18, 2012 Ulaanbataar, Mongolia.Paula Bronstein
/ Getty Images

A wedding couple get married during a ceremony at the wedding hall where many couples turned out to get married on a special day on the Lunar calendar weddings October 18, 2012 Ulaanbataar, Mongolia.Paula Bronstein
/ Getty Images

A wedding hall worker gets ready to open the door for another ceremony at the wedding hall where many couples turned out to get married on a special day on the Lunar calendar weddings October 18, 2012 Ulaanbataar, Mongolia.Paula Bronstein
/ Getty Images

A wedding party watches as friends gets married inside a wedding hall on a special day on the Lunar calendar weddings October 18, 2012 Ulaanbataar, Mongolia.Paula Bronstein
/ Getty Images

A wedding couple walk up the stairs to get married at the wedding hall where many couples turned out to get married on a special day on the Lunar calendar weddings October 18, 2012 Ulaanbataar, Mongolia.Paula Bronstein
/ Getty Images

People are seen reflected in a puddle of water as they shop in a large outdoor market on October 21, 2012 in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia.Paula Bronstein
/ Getty Images

Winter clothes are seen on sale at a sporting goods shop inside a shopping mall on October 22, 2012 in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia.Paula Bronstein
/ Getty Images

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.